Specialty

Dr. portnow specializes in the following:

Medical Oncologist

Sub-specialties: Internal Medicine

Description

A medical oncologist is a physician who specializes in the nonsurgical treatment of cancer, primarily with hormone and drug treatments such as chemotherapy. Many cancer patients work with a medical oncologist throughout their treatment: The medical oncologist confirms the disease and recommends treatment options. Many medical oncologists are involved in ongoing cancer-fighting research and may recommend patients for clinical trials.

Education

Dr. portnow was educated at the following institutions:

Medical School Attended:

university of rochester school of medicine and dentistry

Year of Graduation:

1994

Licensing

Dr. portnow received medical licensing as follows:

Medical License:

Received in 2002

State Medical License:

Issued in the state of California

Insurance

Dr. portnow accepts insurance from these companies:

blue cross blue shield

united healthcare

cigna

healthnet

medicaid

Acceptance of particular Insurance Plans may vary, based on different office locations. As a result, we've listed Plans accepted at different locations.

Background

See what state and federal disciplinary actions (if any) have been reported against this doctor in the past five years.

Disciplinary Actions:

Not Available

Disciplinary actions are actions taken to punish or restrict physicians who have demonstrated professional misconduct. They are intended to correct the doctor's misconduct. Physicians with disciplinary actions may continue to practice, depending on the board's decision. Physicians who have had a disciplinary action in one state will often move to another state where he/she may have a clean record in that new state. Lifescript's Doctor Finder compiles disciplinary action information from all 50 states, you'll know if a physician has a disciplinary action in more than one state.

A medical oncologist is a physician specializing in nonsurgical cancer treatment. They focus on hormone and drug treatments, such as chemotherapy. Many cancer patients visit a medical oncologist periodically throughout treatment: this specialist diagnoses the disease and prescribes cancer treatment options. Medical oncologists may also be involved in ongoing cancer-fighting research and may refer patients to participate in clinical trials.

What is cancer?

Cancer is mutated cells that affect an area or areas of the human body. Some cancerous cells manifest in the form of tumors while others appear as abnormalities in blood cell types. Cancer can form in any area of the internal or external body, including bone, blood, organs and tissue. If left untreated or not treated in time, certain cancers can spread, or metastasize, to other areas of the body.

The severity of cancer is described as Stage 0, Stage I, Stage II, Stage III, or Stage IV, but exact staging varies by type of cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated one in two women will be diagnosed with a form of cancer in her lifetime.

How does medical oncology differ from radiation oncology?

Medical oncology uses drugs or hormone treatments to treat cancer, unlike radiation therapy which uses high-energy X-rays or other radioactive cancer fighting particles. Radiation may complement another cancer treatment or be used on its own to treat various cancers. In certain patients, radiation therapy may be used as a palliative measure in an attempt to relieve symptoms and make the patient more comfortable. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, more than half of all people with cancer receive some type of radiation therapy.

The side effects of radiation treatment vary, from no side effects, to damage to tissues surrounding the treated area, fatigue, skin reactions, upset stomach and loose stool. More serious effects include secondary cancers from the radiation, impotence and infertility.

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is the use of oral or intravenous drugs in an attempt to kill cancerous cells in the body. Chemotherapy, commonly referred to as “chemo,” can be prescribed by your medical oncologist at any time during the treatment course in an attempt to destroy cancer cells. It may also be used to shrink a tumor before surgery or destroy any cancerous cells remaining after surgery. A chemo cycle typically takes 3-4 weeks of regular treatments. Several of these cycles complete a course, which may last three months or longer. Palliative care, sometimes called hospice care, is defined as treating painful conditions. Palliative measures may be employed before, during, or after the treatment course to treat pain. For patients who choose to forego any therapies because of poor prognosis or personal choice, a medical oncologist may recommend palliative care. This type of care may be used to slow cancer growth, reduce symptoms and increase comfort.

Common side effects of chemotherapy treatment include hair loss, infections, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, pain and constipation. More serious side effects include permanent organ damage, loss of memory and ability to concentrate, nerve damage and changes to the nervous system.